Tewksbury, 42, competed in two Olympics, winning gold in the 100 metres backstroke at the 1992 Games in Barcelona.

He also earned bronze and medals in the men’s 4x100m medley at Seoul in 1988 and again in 1992, retiring shortly after Barcelona.

"As an Olympic champion, a two-time Olympian and swimming icon, Mark Tewksbury is the ideal choice to lead Canada in 2012," said Canadian Olympic Committee (COC) President Marcel Aubut.

"His passion for sport and competition matched with his leadership and poise will serve as a huge asset for our Canadian Olympic team in London."

Tweksbury, 42, will take on the role of official representative and spokesperson of the Canadian team in London.

During the last Games in Beijing, in 2008, Tewksbury served as CBC Sports' swimming analyst alongside commentator Steve Armitage.

"To lead our Canadian Olympic team into London is an incredible privilege and honour," Tweksbury said.

"I got the news a little while ago and have been sitting tight on it until today, so finally I can talk.

"I look forward to working closely with the Canadian Olympic Committee over the next two years, providing optimum support for Canada's athletes and coaches as we strive to shine on the world stage."

Tewksbury, who was officially unveiled on CTV's Canada AM this morning, became a national figure in Canada in 1998 when he publicly announced that he was gay.

In 2006, he published his second book, an autobiography entitled Inside Out: Straight Talk from a Gay Jock.

Tewksbury remains a public figure in the gay community, working as a motivational speaker, a television commentator for swimming events, and a continued activist.

He is also a Board member of the Gay and Lesbian Athletics Foundation.

A few months before coming out about his sexuality, he was prominent in the bribery scandal surrounding the 2002 Salt Lake City Olympic Games broke, becoming a harsh critic of the International Olympic Committee and demanded reforms to the system, including the resignation of then President Juan Antonio Samaranch.

At the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games, Canada was one of just six nations that succeeded in winning more medals than it had at previous Games, finishing tied for 13th with 18 medals, including three gold.

Canada finished top of the medals table at the Vancouver Winter Olympics earlier this year and have set a target of top-12 finish in London, which would be their best in the Summer Games since Barcelona when they came 11th with 18 medals, seven of them gold, including Tewksbury's (pictured), the first they won in those Olympics.

"At the Summer Games it's a bit different," said Tewksbury.

"Our Owning-the-Podium will actually be a top-12 finish.

"We don't know exactly how many medals that will require, but that's certainly the goal."

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